Danville City Council Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, July 5th, 2020 at 2:17 pm CDT

AGENDA

Monday, July 6, 2020

Order of business, regular session

Danville City Council, Danville City Hall

NOTE:  The regular session may be conducted electronically

as allowed by Iowa Code 21.8

Citizen comments:  Comments must be directed to the subject under consideration.  The presiding officer shall rule on the relevance of the citizen comments.  Citizens making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks may be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Council during the meeting.

 

  1. Call to order, 6:00 p.m..

 

  1. Accept or amend the agenda.

 

  1. Open forum: A time set aside to receive comments from the public regarding city business.  The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public on any subject pertaining to City business, including items on this agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks to five minutes in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken.

 

  1. Discussion on the condition of the property located at 405 West Division Street. Action by council if needed

 

  1. Discussion and action on Resolution 2020-13 adding stop signs on North Ash Street.

 

  1. Discussion and action on Resolution 2020-14, making a correction to the employee life insurance payment as stated in the wage’s resolution.

 

  1. Discussion and action on Resolution 2020-15 transferring General Fund money into the Fire Department Capital fund.

 

  1. Fire Chief/Building Inspector report.
  2. Action on any building permits received.
  3. Action on the Fire Chief/Building Inspector report as presented.

 

  1. Public Works Supt. written report.
  2. Approval of pay estimate #4 to Four Seasons related to the 2nd/Roosevelt Intersection                     project.
  3. Review and approval of the Public Works written report.

 

  1. Approval of the consent agenda items.
  2. Council minutes of June 15, 2020.
  3. June 2020 financial statements.
  4. Electric permits.
  5. Cigarette permit belonging to Old 34 Gas & Grill.
  6. Utility easements.
  7. Payment of bills.

 

  1. Council reports and correspondence.

 

  1. Adjournment.

The next regular session of the Danville City Council is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2020, Danville City Hall, 6:00 p.m..

Geraldine “Gerry” Widmer

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, July 5th, 2020 at 2:15 pm CDT

Geraldine “Gerry” Widmer, 84 of Kalona, Iowa formally of Wayland, died Friday, July 3, 2020 at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Beatty-Peterseim Funeral Home.

Patricia E. Brown

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 at 9:55 pm CDT

Patricia E. Brown, 84, of Danville, died Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at her home.  Services are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

 

FACC’s New Director

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 at 9:32 pm CDT
Fairfield Arts and Convention Center Announces New Director

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Arts and Convention Center will soon welcome a new Executive Director.

After a careful nationwide search and review of eligible candidates, the FACC board is pleased to announce that Lindsay Bauer, of Orange City, Iowa, has accepted the position of Executive Director, to begin August 1, 2020.

Following the resignation of Rustin Lippincott in March, the FACC Board of Directors embarked on a search for a new leader for the organization. Lippincott had served as the FACC director since 2009.

Ms. Bauer’s current role as Executive Director of Orange City Arts, as well as over eight years of experience in non-profit arts administration, have distinguished her as a leader in cultivating strong, mission-based strategies and close relationships with artistic and non-profit partners.

“Through our nationwide search for an Executive Director, the FACC Board of Directors was able to consider several outstanding candidates for this position,” explained Bob Wiegert, FACC Board President.  “Lindsay was far and away the top choice of the board.”

Also a theater artist and educator, Ms. Bauer is looking forward to joining a community with a well-known history of supporting arts and culture. She plans to continue FACC’s tradition of excellence, as well as further cement its role as community center and gathering place.

“We communicate in stories,” Bauer believes. “The best way to build connections among individuals, communities, or even within ourselves, is to share our stories with each other. And the arts are the perfect vehicle for that.”

Along with the rest of the world, FACC has faced a tumultuous few months as the coronavirus crisis has forced closures and event cancellations. But with a strong foundation in place, the board of directors feels confident that the new leadership will be able to guide the organization through the upcoming changes and decisions.

“We feel very fortunate to be welcoming Lindsay to Fairfield,” Wiegert adds, “and look forward to introducing her to the community and sharing her vision for the future of the FACC.”

About the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center

Located in downtown Fairfield, Iowa, the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center has provided the community art, educational and rich cultural experiences since 2007 featuring local talent and national touring shows. The facility includes an art gallery, the 522 seat Stephen Sondheim Center for the performing arts and 12,000 feet of flexible meeting and event space.

Judith Ethel Lear

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 at 8:11 pm CDT

Judith Ethel Lear, 80, of New London, died Wednesday, July 1, 2020 at her home.

She was born March 1, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan.  She was put in an orphanage at a very early age.  She married Donald Michael Lear, Sr.  He died in 2000.

Judith attended high school and a beauty academy in Detroit; then in her late 40’s she got her GED at Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kansas.  She and her mother owned and operated a beauty shop in Detroit.  She was a member of New London Christian Church.

She was very artistic; enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting, gardening and canning, reading and music; loving on her family; and according to her children, she was the best homemaker ever.

Survivors include her children; Michael Lear Jr. of Kansas, Laura Lear (Nickie Paulk) of Louisiana, Tina Jenkins of New London, Katie (Neal) Lear-Worden of Larned, Kansas; grandchildren, Amber Jenkins, Judith Abigail Lear, Charlotte Worden, Damien Nelson, and Bella Fox, Sterling Lear, Kory Lear and Curtis Lear.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Toby Sappington, and brother Bob Derrick.

According to her wishes, her body has been donated to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.  There will be no formal services at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Memorials may be sent to Tina Jenkins, 301 S. Ash, New London, Iowa  52645.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Gary W. Steward

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 at 8:06 pm CDT

Gary W. Steward, 78, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, June 29, 2020 at his residence.

According to Gary’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home. On line condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Gary Wayne Steward was born October 26, 1941 In Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Carroll Clark and Opal Irene (McGraw) Steward. He received his education in the schools of Mt. Pleasant and Mediapolis. Gary was a long time truck driver, driving over the road trucks for several companies.

Prior to his truck driving career, Gary served 3 tours of duty in the US Army. He was inducted on July 19, 1963 at Ft. Benning, GA. He served with Company C of the 554th Engineers Battalion. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant at Oakland, CA on February 23, 1969. He reenlisted on March 2, 1970 at Ft. Des Moines, IA. He served as a construction mechanic supervisors with Company C, 97th Engineer Battalion of the Fifth US Army. He was honorable discharged on March 7, 1971 at Ft. Riley, KS. Prior to his discharge, his final enlistment was on March 2, 1971 at Ft. Des Moines, serving with the NHC 20th Engineers Battalion. He was honorably discharged on December 12, 1973 at Ft. Campbell, KY.

Survivors include 3 children – Tammy Steward and Kevin Steward, both of Burlington, IA and Shawn (Katie) Steward of Tacoma, WA; 5 siblings – Ronnie Steward of Mediapolis, Charlotte Vigue of Mt. Pleasant, Carol Keck of New London, Connie (Francis) Palmer of Atalissa and Nancie Steward of New London, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His parents, a son – Travis Steward, a brother – Merle Steward, 4 sisters – Susan, Sandy and Anna Mae Steward and Sharon Vaughn and a sister in infancy precede Gary in death.

 

Increase in Excessive Speeding on Iowa Roadways

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, July 2nd, 2020 at 3:09 pm CDT

While COVID-19 continues to keep many people at home and traveling less, nationally and in Iowa, there has been an increase in motorists who are seeing more open roads as an opportunity to drive aggressively. A pattern of dangerously high speeds on Iowa roadways is a disturbing and hazardous traffic trend that has emerged during the pandemic. These are extreme speeds that can lead to disastrous consequences not only heading into a long holiday weekend, but also as the volume of daily traffic is expected to gradually increase with summer vacation trips and more people returning to workplaces. 

Recent data released from the Iowa State Patrol, tracking speeding violations from January 1 through June 10, 2020, shows 1,635 drivers exceeded the speed limit by 25 mph or more. That’s a 65% increase compared to the four-year average. Citations for these speeds in the months of April and May alone totaled 912 compared to 764 violations for the three previous months combined. 

The data shows the most common speeding violators represent a younger demographic primarily consisting of males between the ages of 14 and 29 years of age. The highest rate of noncompliance with posted speed limits occurred on Saturday afternoons. One of the most alarming patterns in the data identifies that nearly one-third of the violations during that time period were for speeds that exceeded 100 mph. Violations for these flagrant speeds have increased 84% compared to the four-year average. Troopers routinely clocked speeds as high as 121 to 155 mph as drivers have found less congested roadways. 

Iowans are not alone in aggressive driving behaviors. The Patrol’s data revealed that 60% of the violators are out-of-state drivers. Neighboring states are also experiencing patterns of excessive speeding, and states like Minnesota, Missouri and Louisiana are seeing those behaviors accompanied by higher fatality crash rates.

“These traffic trends are alarming and unprecedented,” says Iowa State Patrol Commander Colonel Nathan Fulk. “High speeds are not only making our Iowa roadways less safe on a daily basis for all of us, but speeding is one of the leading contributing factors in fatality crashes. We need motorists to understand that this type of driving behavior is not the new normal.” 

The Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa State Patrol, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, and the Iowa Department of Transportation are collaborating on tactics to help bring awareness to the issue, and encourage personal responsibility in keeping Iowa’s roadways safe, including a public awareness campaign kicking off around the July 4th holiday.

Band Sign-Up for Incoming MPCSD 5th Grade Students

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, July 1st, 2020 at 9:28 pm CDT

Band Sign-Up for Incoming MPCSD 5th Grade Students

There are meetings for parents and student entering 5th grade at Mount Pleasant  to try out the mouthpieces, answer any of your questions about band, and get signed up for summer lessons from Monday, July 6th, through Friday, July 10th, at the Middle School Music Room.  If for some reason you can’t attend due to being out of town or unavailable, please contact director Laura Westfall to find an alternative time. There is a link below that will take you to a Sign-Up Genius website that should make it easy for you to search for and sign-up for a time that works for you.  Please note that there will probably be multiple pages of sign-up times/days so be sure to check out all the times available.

Times to meet with Miss Westfall are below with each tryout time taking up to 25 minutes maximum with 5 minutes between each student to disinfect surfaces.

Monday 8:30am-12pm & 1pm-5pm

Tuesday  8:30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm & 6pm-8pm

Wednesday  8:30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm & 6pm-8pm

Thursday  8:30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm & 6pm-8pm

Friday 8:30am-12pm & 1pm-4pm & 6pm-8pm

If you are needing to rent-to-own/buy an instrument and prefer to do so in person instead of online or via phone, there will be West Music Representatives in attendance from 10am-4pm on Tuesday thru Thursday of that week so please try to sign-up for one of those times, or sign-up on Monday to try the instruments and drop by to visit them later that week to purchase/rent an instrument.

Sign-up/try-outs are the week of July 6th and then band lessons to learn the instruments begin the week of July 20th.  Lessons will be once a week for 25 minutes for three weeks in July/August.  Students will be in pairs for lessons.

In the email and mailings sent home, there is a list of safety precautions and cleaning guidelines that will be following during this process.  These are to protect everyone and ensure this can be done safely.  Keeping everyone safe and healthy is the number one priority!  

laura.westfall@mtpcsd.org

Sign-Up Page:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040F4AA9AE29A3F58-5thgrade

If you want a direct link to the sign-up page or more information about how band works/what it looks like:

http://laurawestfall.wixsite.com/elementaryband